The Mitchells vs. The Machines is a fun family-adventure film for audiences of any age, but there are
some details in the movie that only adult viewers are likely to notice.
While the robot apocalypse drives the action, the film is really about that tender moment
in life when a parent has to accept that their child is finally to leave the nest, pursue
their unique dreams and interests, and establish an identity all of their own.
The heart of The Mitchells vs. The Machines' story is the turbulent relationship between
college-bound teen Katie and her father, Rick, who haven't seen eye to eye in years.
Even as the Mitchells are forced to come together to defeat a mechanical uprising, Katie and
Rick must overcome their preconceived notions and embrace who each person truly is.
And that's just one element of The Mitchells vs. The Machines that really plays to a more
mature audience.
Let's take a look at some of the other things that only adults will notice in this animated
action-comedy.
One of the most emotional moments for adults in The Mitchells vs. The Machines comes when
Rick finally watches his daughter's homemade movie Good Cop, Dog Cop and realizes how gifted
she is as a filmmaker -- and how much of herself she's put into the films.
"Sarge, I'm struggling and I need some back-up here."
"Sorry, Dog Cop.
I'm a little occupado."
"Seriously?"
"Have you ever thought about throwing your dreams away and living at home forever?"
"Wow, this Sarge character is kind of a jerk."
Rick immediately recognizes himself in Sarge, and things get really real for Rick when Dog
Cop then delivers an emotional monologue that echoes Katie's own feelings about starting
her new life.
"I'm a full-grown cop now.
And one day, I hope that you can get to know the cop that I've become, because I love you, Sarge.
But now that I'm leaving, I just need some backup.
And when I look for you, you're not there."
The speech is even more impactful when you think back on an earlier scene in The Mitchells
vs. The Machines.
Long before embarking on the road trip-gone-wrong, Katie makes a pointed effort to show this
particular film to her father, but he didn't have time to watch it.
"Hey, you want to see these special effects I made for Dog Cop 5?"
"Sorry, Katie.
I'm a little occupado.
Want to check out this mallard?
It's dead."
"It's okay."
Basically, Katie made this movie as a way of trying to connect with her dad and to give
him a heartfelt goodbye the only way she knows how -- and he totally missed out on it.
Rick isn't the only one who has to learn some perspective in The Mitchells vs. The Machines,
though.
Katie also has a moment of much-needed realization thanks to some old home movies.
Katie finds a video of when her father sold his precious cabin so that the family could
give their new baby, Katie, a normal life.
"Hey Katie, can you say bye bye house?"
"Bye bye house."
"You ready, hun?"
"Almost."
"I know this is hard for you."
"Nah… it's easy."
At this point, Katie realizes that her father's love of nature is about more than survival
skills and specialized screwdrivers.
The outdoors is where Rick truly feels free to be himself.
Since Katie is also in the process of finding her own community, she immediately recognizes
the weight of the sacrifice Rick made for her.
Importantly, this lesson doesn't mean that Katie is willing to give up on her own plans.
Once the Mitchells put a stop to the robot apocalypse, she still continues on her collegiate
journey.
But Katie does so with an understanding that while she and her father are very different
people with very different passions, they both deserve love.
And she'll never give up the wooden moose keepsake from the old house again, either.
"Do you remember how a moose says I love you?"
Although much of The Mitchells vs. The Machines centers on Rick and Katie finding common ground,
there's one aspect of Katie's life that her parents always seem to support.
Throughout the film, there are subtle clues that Katie is a member of the LGBTQ community.
However, the subject isn't directly addressed until the very end of the film, during the
credits sequence.
"That's my Katie.
Are you eating enough?
How's classes?
Are you and Jade official and will you be bringing her home with you for Thanksgiving?"
"Whoa, easy mom, it's only been a few weeks."
Katie's crush on Jade is hinted at earlier in the movie, as Katie talks about and draws
Jade more than the other two students she has grown close to.
However, it's not until this moment that Katie's romantic interest in Jade comes up in conversation,
which indicates a long understanding and acceptance of Katie's sexuality.
Katie might've felt out of touch with her fellow Mitchells for other reasons, but her
identity has never been an issue for her family.
Thanks for watching.
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